Philadelphia Sports Network
This mega-network of every-team-sport-under-the-sun is to would-be ballers what karaoke is to American Idol wannabes, making childhood dreams come true one goal at a time. See website for locations, 00000, philadelphiasportsnetwork.com.
Relentless Fitness
Dont get too attached to the gym here. In nice weather, trainer Roger Dickerman takes his sessions outdoors, which means everythingcurbs, benches, the sidewalkis fair game for banging out some reps. 249 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, relentless-fitness.com.
The Corner
There are some dandy deals to be found in this city between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. But dropping a Hamilton on a plate of fried oysters and a glass of Stanford Brut while relishing the rarefied air of the Corner's elevated terrace is our favorite. 102 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thephillycorner.com.
Pocono Modern
If one-of-a-kind pieces are more your leaning, Pocono Modern's furniture has ski-lodge leanings and clean lines, and is made from some of the prettiest woods we've ever seen. 1550 State Route 903, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229, poconomodern.com.
Insomnia Cookies
Freezer empty? Order a pint of ice cream (or a quart, no judgment) and some fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies from Insomnia, and get your (homemade) Chipwich on. Multiple locations, insomniacookies.com.
The Olde Bar at Bookbinder's
Turtle soup is back at Philly's most iconic restaurant address -- but this time with a quail egg and a sidecar of sherry foam, some of the many contemporary flourishes with which Jose Garces has rejuvenated this historic bar space. 125 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, theoldebar.com.
Classic Coachwork Main Line
It’s like the crew here has some sort of magic time machine that can bring a car that’s experienced an unfortunate turn of fate back to looking like it just drove out of the dealership. 228 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, classiccoachwork.com/main-line.
Taffets Bakery
Soft, chewy gluten-free loaves, rolls, focaccia, baguettes and bagels that don't taste anything like a brick—yes, it's a GF-eater's dream come true. 1024 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, taffets.com.
The Katacomb: Vintage
For some, the search is the best part of shopping vintage. For everyone else, there's Brooke Dillon's appointment-only boutique, where the best stuff (read: Chanel and YSL and Oscar) has already been found and dry-cleaned for you. 1514 Pine Street, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, thekatacomb.blogspot.com.
Majolica
When every table you pass in a cute little BYO on a teeny main street in suburbia features diners ignoring the cheese tray and attacking plates of grilled octopus ... well, you know it must be some swell octopus. And it is. 258 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460, majolicarestaurant.com.
Avril 50
Around since the ’80s, this hole-in-the-wall purveyor of avant-garde art magazines, exotic cigars and loose tobacco was cool long before studied hipsters infiltrated the ’hood. 3406 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, avril50.com.
Johnny Brenda’s
Though mostly known for its burgers and beer, Johnny Brenda’s is actually doing some of the best cheffy vegetables in the city–marinated snap peas on a bed of homemade ricotta, and grilled local asparagus with slivers of cured salmon 1201 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, johnnybrendas.com.
Zachary's BBQ
Two words: free samples ? of everything. Sometimes the best food comes out of a kitchen in between a gas station and a dry cleaner in a strip mall in Montgomery County. This is one of those times. 1709 Markley Street, Norristown, PA 19401, zacharysbbq.com.
Logan Weekday Reset at the Logan Hotel
Seven of this modern hotel spa's popular treatments (from facials and manis to scrubs and massages) come in handy 25-minute versions, meaning you can work a little grooming into your day, instead of derailing it. 1 Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103, theloganhotel.com.
Art in the Age
Come First Friday, the tastefully rugged boutique transforms into a legitimate scene, complete with seasonal cocktails, boozy confections, and an art installation or pop-up shop courtesy of Philly's most creative souls. 116 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, artintheage.com.